I think we can all agree that the NHL needs to somehow take head shots out of the game. But I find it pointless for me to go into a big spiel as to what should be done because in the end it will just be a wasted effort as Colin Campbell will probably not give a very long suspension. That is just how the NHL rolls. So with that said, I am just going to post some of the better CLEAN knockout hits from my recent memory:

Stevens on Kozlov: Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals. This was the first of many Stevens’ knockouts and the third of many Wings’ upsets in the 1990’s.

Kasparaitis on Lindros: 1998 regular season. Ouch.

Stevens on Lindros: Game 7 of the 2000 Eastern Finals. The Flyers led this series 3-1 with no Eric Lindros in the lineup. After a Devils’ win in Game 5, Lindros returned for Game 6 in New Jersey. Broduer was amazing in the next two games, winning both 2-1, but the lasting image is Scott Stevens absolutely crushing The Big E as he cut across the trolly tracks.

Stevens on Francis: 2001 Eastern QFs. Another clean check by Stevens.

Stevens on Kariya: Game 6 of 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. This game just couldn’t have been written better. I think this is probably the best one on this list because of its’ significance to me. While I remember the other Stevens’ hits, I was pretty young when they happened. This one, I was right into it because I really hated the Ducks for knocking out the Wings that year. After the hit and subsequent return by Kariya, I was chanting Go Ducks Go during Game 7 (which I spend at Copps watching the Bulldogs lose Game 7 to Houston….who the fuck decided put two Game 7s on one night…idiots).

Tucker on Sami Kapanen: Game 6 of 2004 Eastern Conference Semis. Awesome reaction by Kapanen, then even awesomer (sp?) goal moments later to knock out the Leafs in what was their most recent playoff game.

Campbell on Umberger: Game 1 of 2006 East QFs. Ohhhhhhh!! Maybe this is why Chicago gave him a bucket load of money for 8 years.

Armstrong on Patrick Eaves: Game 3 of 2007 East QFs. One of the only good things the Penguins did in this series.

Kronwall on Havlat: Game 3 of 2009 West Conference Finals. Another one of Kronwall’s many monstrous hits. I am still pissed he got a 5 minute major for interference of all things. The Hawks survived squandering a 3-0 lead in the game and won in overtime, but we all know who won in the end.

Normally players suffer through what is known as the sophomore slump. In Bryan Little’s second season, he scored 31 goals. Although the Atlanta Thrashers have only played 10 games, Little had yet to score before tonight. But with Ilya Kovalchuk out of the lineup for another month, this is the opportunity for Little to get rolling.

The Thrashers also possess two pretty good set up centre ice men in Nik Antropov and Todd White. Before the injury, Antropov was lining up with Kovalchuk, so that left Little to play with Todd White as his centreman. Although this forms one of the best line names in the league, the Little White Russian (Kozlov) line, hopefully this injury will allow Little to get some playing time with the former Leaf and maybe even the top powerplay unit.

If Bryan Little can get going like he was at the beginning of last season, I think that Atlanta could actually contend with the Capitals for the Southeast Division title.